The Commission convened in January 2024 and worked through December 2024, identifying possible areas for legislative or regulatory action, conducting an extensive analysis of options, and developing targeted recommendations. Throughout its work, the Commission consulted with dozens of additional stakeholders, including municipal leaders and public officials, housing advocates, housing developers, land-use attorneys, modular manufacturers, climate and environmental justice advocates, and others. This report reflects the Commission’s extensive stakeholder engagement and intensive deliberation, and it calls for major changes in several areas of law and regulation to unlock housing production. Staff from HLC, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), and other organizations represented on the Commission provided extensive technical expertise and facilitated consultations with key housing production stakeholders. The Consensus Building Institute (CBI) supported the Commission’s deliberations, organizing meetings and assisting in subcommittee discussions. HLC staff played a leading role in the drafting of this report.
Acknowledgments Governor Maura T. Healey established the Unlocking Housing Production Commission in October 2023 via Executive Order #622.1 The Commission’s charge was to report to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on: How state and local laws, regulations, and practices could be revised so as to increase the supply of housing that is affordable across a wide range of incomes and available throughout a broad spectrum of neighborhoods.2 The Commission’s sixteen members (see below), appointed by the Governor, represent diverse government, civic, and business interests in housing production. Chaired by Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) Secretary Ed Augustus, the Commission includes representatives of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED), and the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F). Regional councils of government, municipalities, building and fire code authorities, single- and multi-family housing developers, and advocates for affordable housing and smart growth are also represented on the Commission.
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